Sunday, February 15, 2015 1:00 p.m.
Carver Arena, Peoria

It seems like ancient history since the Ramblers opened Valley play against Bradley at Gentile Arena in the final hours of 2014. In the MVC opener, Loyola controlled the game throughout, holding a 14-point lead at halftime of the 64-49 win. Christian Thomas and Devon Turk combined for 39 points, eight rebounds and five three pointers for the Ramblers, and Bradley’s top scorer Tramique Sutherland was held to only eight points on 3 of 13 shooting.

Much has happened to both teams since—injuries, lineup changes, a rash of suspensions, and various ups and downs-- but a month and a half and 12 conference games later, the Braves and Ramblers will meet in Peoria with only two games separation in the standings.

The 3-10 Braves are likely to start guards Sutherland and Omari Grier; 7’1” junior center Nate Wells; and forwards Auston Barnes and Josh Cunningham. The Bradley bench has shrunk to just three players seeing time in close games: junior guard Ka’Darryl Bell, junior center Jermaine Morgan, and freshman forward Donte Thomas were the only non-starters to play in their Wednesday loss at Drake, and they contributed only eight points and four rebounds in 39 minutes between the three. Six foot nine center Xzavier Taylor, a starter at the beginning of conference play, has seen his minutes decline to nothing over the past several games; guard Warren Jones hasn’t played since an arrest for underage drinking following the Drake game on Jan. 28; reserve guard Anthony Fields is out for the season with a knee injury; and Cunningham recently had an asthma attack that is being watched. Jones has reportedly been reinstated from suspension and both Taylor and Shaw were available for the most recent game at Drake, but none of them entered the game.

Despite turmoil, uncertainty and injury, the Braves have put together some impressive performances, especially their shorthanded near-comeback from a 20+ deficit in a three point loss against the Shockers. Last weekend, the Braves scored their only road conference victory with a 56-53 win at Evansville, playing without Egidijus Mockevicius. And in their last outing, the Braves held a four point lead in the final four minutes at Drake before losing by six. Bradley is 7-6 at home, averaging a little over 5500 fans per game, with key wins over Central Michigan, Southern Illinois, and Missouri State.

Bradley has a propensity to play rather selfishly (9th in the conference in assists) and they take a lot of shots to ring up their points, but when they get hot-- look out. They keep things close by using some pretty good defense and rebounding to overcome their sloppy offense; opponents have averaged only 61.2 points against them in their last six games, and that includes higher-scoring teams like Wichita State (62), Evansville (53) and Indiana State (64). Their above-average athleticism can appear suddenly and in streaks, sometimes sparking panic in opponents that can cause teams to stray from wise shot selection, confident passing, and diligence in game plans.

As the conference season calendar slips away, each game takes on additional importance, and the Ramblers need a win over Bradley to keep pace or establish a cushion for sixth place over a surging Drake team (winners of four of their last five). Loyola certainly has the potential to win over Bradley in Peoria even without Milton Doyle, but it will likely take some poise, execution and exceptional team effort to do it in the hostile environment with a lot riding on the result.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 214aaa.pdf

Bradley game notes: http://www.bradleybraves.com/pdf9/31866 ... EM_ID=3400

TV/Streaming video: ESPN3 (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index)

Vegas odds: Bradley by 2

I just finished reading all of the replies on the SIU thread and wanted to add my two cents....
Colossal collapse? Really... This team deserves kudos for doing as well as it has done.
Take the best player on any team off the floor and see what they do.
Shockers without VanVleet, No Beane at SIU, no Balentine at Evansville....
We have role players that are young and learning, but role players...
Christian Thomas, playing with his back to the basket most of the season, now at a forward guard spot...
Jeff White, returning to play after an injury, in and out of the lineup, mostly because we are too short...
Earl at the point....
Even Montel, who I really appreciate, is in the land the large, doing things
likely not expected of him in preseason.
I NEVER considered post season tourney as a goal for these guys.
They are competitive most every game. I don't doubt they give 100% effort regularly.
Can't blame them for skills that don't match the teams needs at this time.
I can't imagine that free throw shooting isn't getting the time it deserves.
The context of the needed free throws likely has something to do with the results as the
stage these kids on is not what was originally signed on for.
They are a great group and deserve our support, even when it hurts to see what could have been.
Let's not forget that Milton 's ankle is not his only issue, the young man plays with a damaged shoulder.
How fortunate for LU he gets us what he can.
So, on to Bradley and the remaining games. I suggest we not get so critical and just enjoy them all.
Success brings success and this years steps will bring big rewards soon enough. I can feel the confidence
growing with each player every time they get over the hump in a tight situation to win another game. Sit tight and enjoy the ride.
Go Ramblers
PS. The inbounds plays... We are too short to get the under the basket play routinely.
I am scared with the backcourt lobs and amazed that other teams have not picked up on this more to get EZ steals.
We have lost a few already.
Careful with that Ramblers.

Brilliant, Guy !! Almost exactly what I have been preaching , but you have done it much better than I have. As said , our team is a year early at this point--Milton still, Earl is now back and Cgristian with his head smacked--Now we have another who is sick !! Criminy ! most teams do not have one or two of these --we have had or do have FOUR ! And we still are hangin' in.
Am I in a hurry ? Sure--especially in my position--BUT , I have treated this as proof that PM is more sinned against than sinner--Great recriter and has held this bunch together despite what has happened--
A win against Braves will truly help--

I like our chances in Peoria--maybe a six point win !!

What is the status of Jay Knuth? Anybody know anything on that?

I noticed his absence in the middle of the SIU game. He had a very good 1st game at SIU, so I wondered what happened. Also had an OK game against Indiana State just before the SIU game-- 5 points in 9 minutes with a rebound. Hoping it's just a cold, flu, etc., because we can't afford to not have a 6'6" guy against Bradley. He had 4 points, a rebound, an assist and a steal against Bradley in the opener, playing 19 minutes.

In the postgame interview, Moser said he was sick. Sinus infection.

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Gameday. Big game for both teams if they want to avoid Thursday. If we can carry over last game's offense, most of last game's defense, and for the love of all things holy make free throws, we should pull out a win. Go Ramblers.

A win on the road right now would be a big boost for our guys as they await Doyle's return. Really hoping they can jump out to a lead early

I feel like their logo at center court needs to be bigger. You can barely tell its a "B".

So Doyle isn't just an ankle, it's a fractured foot. That explains the extended absence.